Textiles Treated with Composition Inhibiting Sustainability and Growth of Pathogenic Microbes

ABSTRACT

A composition, method and textile-containing products that inhibit the sustainability and growth of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., by subjecting them to a chemical treatment that deprives them of nutrients and allows them to be washed away while the treating composition remains resident in or bound to the treated textiles and fibers following repeated cycles of washing and use.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to woven or knit textiles, fibers and yarns(collectively, “textiles”) treated with a chemical composition thatinhibits the growth of pathogenic microbes by depriving them of thenutrients needed to sustain growth. Alternatively, the treatingcomposition of the invention can be applied to products manufacturedfrom the textiles. The treated textiles of the invention desirablyremain effective for deterring or inhibiting infectious microbial growthfollowing repeated commercial washing cycles. Examples of products thatcan be made from textiles treated in accordance with the inventioninclude, for example, garments, underwear, linens, blankets, curtains,towels, washcloths, furniture coverings, seat coverings, table cloths,aprons and towels used in medical and dental facilities, schools,publicly used buildings, food preparation areas, public transportation,and the like. A novel tear-away hospital gown that comprises the treatedtextile of the invention, provides better anatomical coverage and quickaccess to a patient's frontal anatomy (especially while lying on ahospital bed or gurney) is also disclosed.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Some manufacturers of carpets, footwear, garments and other textilecontaining products have for many years incorporated organic orinorganic substances and chemicals into their products for so-called“antimicrobial” use in combatting odors such as pet odors, foot andother bodily odors, smoke odors, and the like. Some such substances wereintended to oxidize or otherwise break down the odor-producing compoundscontributing to the odors to make the treated products smell better topersons situated nearby. Other such substances were intended to maskodors without inhibiting the sustainability or growth of odor-causingbacteria.

Still other manufacturers have produced and marketed disinfectant spraysand liquids for use in treating hard surfaces such as counters, floors,bathroom fixtures, and the like, where infectious microbes might bepresent. Such disinfectant products are intended to kill microbes oncontact, but typically contain harsh chemicals that can also be toxic tohumans if breathed, ingested or placed in close contact with human skin,and are not suitable for use treating textiles from which articles suchas hospital gowns are made.

More recently, antimicrobial scrubs, nursing uniforms and lab coats thatclaim to resist or inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast and algae, andminimize odors and stains due to bacteria have been introduced and arecommercially available, for example, under the brand names Cherokee,Code Happy, SmartScrubs, Dickies and HeartSoul. Such garments are made,for example, from a 63% polyester/34% cotton/3% spandex poplin; 95%rayon/5% spandex; 55% cotton/43% polyester/2% spandex poplin; 77%polyester/20% rayon/3% spandex twill; and the like, and often carry thefollowing EPA disclaimer:

-   -   EPA disclaimer: Garments featuring antimicrobial technology do        not protect users or others against bacteria, viruses or other        disease organisms.

Some of such products are said to embody Certainty® or Certainty Plus®technology. Both Certainty® and Certainty Plus® are registeredtrademarks of Strategic Partners, Inc. of Chatsworth, Calif. CertaintyPlus® is registered as a trademark for use with antimicrobial treatedmedical wearing apparel, namely scrub tops, scrub pants, lab coats andgowns. Certainty® technology is said to provide long-lastingeffectiveness against unwanted bacteria on the fabric, protectionagainst unpleasant odor and/or musky odor buildup by keepingodor-causing bacterial loads at minimal levels, reducing the amount ofbacteria on scrubs during and after launderings. Such treatment is saidto use nanotechnology to attach to the individual fibers, deliveringsuperior performance characteristics without compromising the look(hang), feel (hand) or comfort of the fabric, but does not purport tocombat the sustainability or growth of pathogenic microbes.

Rohm and Haas Chemicals LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company,has marketed SILVADUR™ 900 Antimicrobial comprising acrylic polymers,ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, silver ion, water,butanol, ammonium nitrate and individual residual monomers, which issaid to be dangerous (corrosive, causing tearing, pain, burns, swelling,reddening) to the eyes and skin with the primary routes of entry beinginhalation, skin contact, eye contact and dermal absorption. Othercompositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,411,933; 7,390,774;8,303,821; 8,858,926; and 9,034,352. U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,438 disclosesoperating room clothing comprising fabrics tested with bacteriostaticcompounds. U.S. Pat. No. 9,655,388 discloses articles of clothing thatincorporate antibacterial or antifungal agents.

In the medical field, gowns provided by medical care facilities forpatient wear have remained substantially unchanged in design for manydecades. Such gowns are typically open in the back, often exposingportions of a patient's anatomy, and are tied at the neck in a positionbehind the patient's head. Such gowns are typically inconvenient andembarrassing to wear, and provide little or no frontal access to medicalpersonnel treating a patient when the patient is lying in bed or on agurney while wearing such a gown. A hospital gown configured tofacilitate quick access to and/or removal from a patient's anatomy bymedical personnel is therefore also needed. One article discussingefforts to control the spread of bacteria in hospitals is “Survival ofEnterococci and Staphylococci on Hospital Fabrics and Plastics,” Journalof Clinical Microbiology (February 2000, p. 724-726).

Other prior art literature discussing starvation or nutrient deprivationas ways of combatting growth and replication of microbial pathogensinclude: “An optimal method of iron starvation of the obligateintracellular pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis,” Frontiers inMicrobiology, Vol. 2, Art. 20 (February 2011) and “Feast or famine: thehost-pathogen battle over amino acids,” Cellular Microbiology (2013)15(7), 1079-1087.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A composition and method are disclosed here that are useful for treatingyarns, fibers, textiles and textile-containing products to inhibit thesustainability and growth of pathogenic microbes, specifically includinghospital-acquired pathogens such as, for example and without limitation,Enterococci (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus),Staphylococci (S. aureus), CNS (Coagulase-Negative Stapholococci),Clostridium difficile, and the like, that are known to grow and thriveon conventionally treated hospital fabrics and plastic. The inventiondisclosed here is also more broadly directed toward a composition,method and products that inhibit the sustainability and growth ofpathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., by subjecting them to achemical treatment that deprives them of nutrients and allows them to bewashed away while the treating composition remains bound to the treatedtextiles and fibers following repeated cycles of washing and use.

According to one embodiment of the invention, textiles are disclosedthat are treated with an amount of treating composition that isdesirably sufficient to impregnate or saturate the textile and adhere tothe textile upon drying. Satisfactory methods of treating can include,for example, dipping or spraying the textile in such manner and for asufficient residence time that the textile can become well coated orsaturated with the treating composition, and then rolling and drying thetreated textile to a desired moisture content for further processing orstorage. The treating composition is desirably an aqueous suspensioncomprising a finely divided, powdered, particulate or ionic dispersionof a metallic component in combination with a miscible polymer componentthat functions as a matrix, stabilizer or binding agent to hold themetallic component on the textile. The aqueous treating composition isdesirably mixed into an application bath preferably comprising aceticacid and having a pH not greater than about 6.5. The metallic componentis desirably provided to resist the growth of microbic pathogens on thetextile by reducing the availability of nutrients in proximity to themicrobes on the textile. The polymer component desirably supports thedispersed metallic component and facilitates attachment of the metalliccomponent to the textile so as to prolong the beneficial effects oftreating through repeated cycles of use and washing. Polymericcomponents that can be used in the invention are believed to include,for example, polymer or copolymers such as polybutylene terephthalate oranother effective polyolefin, polyester or polyamide, and preferredmetal-containing components desirably comprise finely divided silver,zinc or titanium particles, powder or ions. The metal-containingcomponents can be provided as water soluble, insoluble or amphotericpowders, fillers or salts such as, for example, titanium dioxide, zincoxide, silver nitrate, silver chloride, and the like.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a garment such as ahospital gown is disclosed that comprises a textile material treated asdescribed above. Although treating of the textile prior to fabricationof the garment is preferred, it will be appreciated by those of skill inthe art that the beneficial effects of the invention can also beachieved by treating fibers, threads or yards prior to forming a wovenor non-woven textile, or by treating a fabricated garment prior tostorage, sale or use. According to one satisfactory embodiment of theinvention, a hospital gown is fabricated that comprises a plurality ofnon-metal (preferably plastic or nylon) fasteners, such as snapfasteners, that enable the gown to be opened and/or removed to quicklyaccess to the anatomy of a patient as needed to administer medicaltreatment. Similarly, openings with fasteners permitting easy access toa patient's anatomy can similarly be provided in those portions of atreated gown or other garment where medical treatment may be required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various beneficial aspects of the invention are further disclosed,described and explained in relation to the following drawings andexhibits wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a hospital gownmade and treated as disclosed; and

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the hospital gown of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Treated textiles (again including woven or knit textiles, fibers oryarns) and textile-containing products are disclosed in thisapplication, with one preferred use for such textiles and products beingthe healthcare industry, where inhibiting the growth and replication ofpathogenic microbes is always a concern. The textile treatment disclosedhere is applicable to woven and non-woven materials comprising naturalfibers, synthetic fibers and textiles containing blends of natural andsynthetic fibers. In addition to controlling the growth and replicationof pathogenic microbes by “starving” them as opposed to “killing” them,other objectives desirably achieved through use of the present inventioninclude the development of garments and other textile products that havea good look and feel and that can be laundered commercially throughrepeated wash cycles while retaining the ability to inhibit the growthand replication of pathogenic microbes. In particular, a novel hospitalgown is disclosed here that provides improved anatomical coverage, canbe worn safely while inside imaging devices, and is configured for quick(less than about 5 seconds) and easy access to desired portions of apatient's anatomy, and/or removal from a patient to facilitate the rapiddelivery of medical care.

The subject textiles are desirably treated by saturating them in a bathcomprising an aqueous treating composition containing metal ions(preferably in a finely divided form that is soluble or can be suspendedin water) in combination with a soluble or miscible polymeric complexingor binding agent that helps prevent the metal-containing powders fromwashing away or leaching out of the textiles during use and repeatedlaundering. Although the mechanism by which the metal-containing powdersinhibit the growth and replication of pathogenic microbes on the textileproducts is not fully understood, prototype textiles have exhibiteddurability and effectiveness at inhibiting growth of pathogenic microbesthat is sustained through repeated laundering cycles (25 to 50 cycles ormore at temperatures upward of 170° F. for time periods up to 20 minutesor longer per wash cycle). In one embodiment of the invention, 97%effectiveness for inhibiting the growth and replication of pathogenicmicrobes on textile samples was achieved after 50 washings.

The subject textiles are desirably sterilized prior to applying thecomposition of the invention to them, although it will be appreciatedthat either the treated textile or textile-containing products made withtreated textiles can also be sterilized following manufacture if desiredor needed for some applications. The treatment process desirablyincludes dipping, spraying or otherwise coating the textiles to achievea desired degree of saturation that will likely depend to some extentupon the type, makeup and thread count of the textile or textile blendundergoing treatment and upon the intended use of the treated textile.The bath comprising the aqueous treating composition is desirablymaintained at a pH of not greater than about 6.5 and preferably containsa buffering agent such as acetic acid to assist in maintaining the pH ofthe treated textile at a level that is non-toxic and does not irritatethe skin of a patient or other user whose skin is placed in directcontact with a treated textile-containing product.

The treating composition is desirably an aqueous solution or suspensioncomprising water, a dispersed finely divided or ionic metal-containingcomponent, and a polymeric component that is miscible with the aqueoussolution or suspension. The metal component is desirably provided toresist the growth of microbic pathogens on the textile by reducing theavailability of nutrients in proximity to the microbes on the textile.The polymeric component is desirably provided to complex with, orotherwise facilitate, binding of the dispersed, metal-containingcomponent to the textile so as to prolong the beneficial effects oftreating through repeated cycles of use and washing. A preferred polymerfor use in the invention is polybutylene terephthalate or anothersimilarly effective polyolefin, polyester or polyamide, and preferredmetal-containing components desirably comprise silver, zinc or titanium.The metal-containing components can be provided as water soluble,insoluble or amphoteric powders, fillers or salts including, forexample, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silver nitrate and silverchloride.

A preferred method for treating the textiles is by dipping them in asolution of a bath containing the treating composition for a desiredinterval either manually or in the form of a web traveling on conveyorrollers that preferably immerse the web for a period sufficient tosubstantially coat or saturate the textile. Alternatively, the treatingcomposition can be applied to fibers or yarns by repeated spraying toimprove penetration into and adherence to the textile, or by utilizingother similarly effective techniques for dipping, coating, saturating orimpregnating the textiles with the treating compositions that may besuggested to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure. Excess liquid can then be expressed from the treated textilethrough the use of devices such as calendaring rolls (preferably havingpolyamide surfaces) that reduce the moisture content of the textile to apredetermined desirable level, followed if needed by drying to a desiredfinal moisture content. Other textile processing steps that canoptionally be included are singing, desizing, bleaching, mercerizing,heat setting, polyester dyeing, reduction clearing, cotton dyeing,brushing, fabric finishing, packaging and finished product sterilizing.

The Examples below contain testing parameters and representative testdata for a plurality of treated and untreated textile swatchesinoculated with various microbial pathogens as detailed below and arebelieved to be understandable by one of ordinary skill in the art ofdesigning and manufacturing products comprising textiles intended foruse or wear in the healthcare industry. The treated textile swatches aresatisfactorily prepared by treating them with a suitable composition asdescribed and explained above, and more particularly, using a productmarketed under the trademark Silaide™ by N9 World Technologies Pvt. Ltd.that is understood to embody U.S. EPA approved silver chemistry andformulated to produce an aqueous dispersion of non-agglomerated silverchloride.

The test procedure used in each of the Examples is believed to besubstantially as follows:

-   -   1. Test and control fabrics are cut into appropriately-sized        swatches of 50 mm diameter and stacked. The numbers of swatches        taken are 2-6 in order to absorb the entire liquid inoculums of        1 ml quantity.    -   2. Stock virus is standardized to prepare a test inoculum. The        test inoculums supplemented with an organic soil load, if        required.    -   3. Test and control materials are inoculated with the test        virus, and incubated in a humid environment at 35° C.        temperature for the 24 hours contact time.    -   4. The viral concentration is determined at “Time Zero” to        verify the target inoculums using standard cell culture (e.g.        TCID50) or plaque assay techniques. Assay plates are incubated        for 48 hours for the virus-host cell system.    -   5. After the incubation period, following neutralization, the        carrier suspensions are quantified to determine the levels of        infections virus survived and the assay is scored for titre of        test virus.    -   6. Adequate control is implemented to verify neutralization        effectiveness of the antimicrobial agent with Neutralizer used.    -   7. Percent reductions are computed for test fabric relative to        the Time Zero enumeration(s), and reported.

Example 1

Name of test: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity by AATCC 100-2012

Test Inoculum:

-   -   1. Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (2.00×10⁵ CFU/ml)    -   2. Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) S-129        (1.90×10⁵ CFU/ml)

Additional Test Information:

-   -   1. Sample size: 48 mm discs    -   2. No. of swatches used: 7    -   3. Method of Sterilisation of sample: Free steaming    -   4. Inoculum Carrier: Phosphate Buffered water    -   5. Neutraliser: DE Broth

Results:

Fabric swatches in contact with individual test cultures for 24 hrs at37° C. showed the following results:

No. of Bacteria per sample (CFU/Sample) Sample Inoculated SampleInoculated Sample Percentage of Reduction Identification Test Culture at0 hours (B) at 24 hours (A) of Microorganism (R) 2060- SilaideEscherichia 2.00 × 10⁵ 7.00 × 10² 99.65 Treated Fabric - coli (0 wash)MR Staph. 1.92 × 10⁵ 1.60 × 10² 99.91 aureus 2060- Silaide Escherichia2.09 × 10⁵ 1.20 × 10³ 99.42 Treated Fabric - coli (50 washes) MR Staph.1.97 × 10⁵ 1.80 × 10³ 99.08 aureus

Remarks:

-   -   1. CFU: Colony Forming Unit=No. of Microorganisms    -   2. Percentage Reduction of Microorganisms (R)=100 (B−A/B)

Fabric labeled as 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric (0) wash has shown 99.65%and 99.91% antimicrobial activity;

Fabric 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric (50 washes) has shown 99.42% and99.08% antimicrobial activity towards Escherichia coli and MeticillinResistant Staphylococcus aureus respectively when analyzed as per AATCC100-2012 test Method.

Example 2

Sample Description: Cotton/Polyester Blended Blue Color Woven FabricSample

-   -   1. 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric—0 Wash    -   2. 2060-Silade Treated Fabric—50 Washes

Purpose of Test: Antiviral Activity of Fabric

Name of Test: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity by AATCC 100-2012

Test Microorganism Information: MS2 Bacteriophage (MS2) is an RNA virusof the family Leviviridae. Escherichia coli 15597 are the hosts forbacteriophages. Due to its environment resistance, MS2 bacteriophagesare used as a surrogate virus (particularly in place of Picornavirusessuch as Poliovirus and human Norovirus) in water quality andAntimicrobial studies.

Virus: MS2 Bacteriophage

Permissive Host Cell: Escherichia coli ATCC 15597

Test Parameters Used in Study:

-   -   1. Sample size: 48 mm discs    -   2. No. of Swatches used: 7    -   3. Method of Sterilisation of sample: Autoclaving    -   4. Viral Inoculum Volume: 1.0 ml; 1.10×10⁵ PFU/ml    -   5. Host Cell Line: E. coli 15597    -   6. Dilution Medium: Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)    -   7. Contact Time: 24 hours at 35° C.    -   8. TSA Neutralizer: 10 ml D/E broth    -   9. Assay Medium: 50% TSA agar    -   10. Incubation Period: 48 hours

Results:

Fabric swatches in contact with individual test cultures for 24 hrs at37° C. showed the following results:

Test Organism: MS2 Bacteriophage Average PFU/ Average PFU/ Carrier at 0Carrier at Percentage Log Sample hours (B) 24 hours (A) of ReductionReduction of Identification PFU log PFU log of Virus Virus 2060 -Silaide 5.70 × 10⁶ 6.75 5.10 × 10² 2.70 99.99 4.05 Treated Fabric - (0wash) 2060 - Silaide 1.02 × 10³ 3.00 99.98 3.75 Treated Fabric - (50washes)

Remarks:

-   -   1. PFU: Plaque Forming Unit=No. of Microorganisms    -   2. Percentage Reduction=(B−A/B)×100    -   3. Log Reduction Log (B/A)        -   Where:        -   B=Number of viable test microorganisms on the control            carriers immediately after inoculation        -   A=Number of viable test microorganisms on the test carriers            after the contact time

Fabric labeled as 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric—0 Wash has shown 99.99%reduction of Virus; Fabric 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric—50 Washes hasshown 99.98% reduction of Virus when analyzed as per AATCC 100-2012 testMethod using MS2 Bacteriophage as surrogate virus.

Example 3

Sample Description: Cotton/Polyester Blended Blue Color Woven FabricSample

-   -   1. 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric—0 Wash    -   2. 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric—50 Washes

Name of Test: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity by AATCC 100-2012

Test Inoculum: Clostridium difficile ATCC 9689 (2.00×10⁵ CFU/ml)

Additional Test Information:

-   -   1. Sample size: 48 mm discs    -   2. No. of Swatches used: 7    -   3. Method of Sterilisation of sample: Free steaming    -   4. Inoculum Carrier: Phosphate Buffered water    -   5. Neutraliser: DE Broth    -   6. Growth Medium: Columbia anaerobic sheep blood agar    -   7. Incubation conditions: Anaerobic chamber at 37° C.

Results:

Fabric swatches in contact with individual test cultures for 24 hrs at37° C. showed the following results:

No. of Bacteria per sample (CFU/Sample) Sample Inoculated SampleInoculated Sample Percentage Reduction Identification Test Culture at 0hours (B) at 24 hours (A) of Microorganism (R) 2060- Silaide Clostridium1.23 × 10⁵ 8.00 × 10² 99.34 Treated Fabric - difficile (0 wash) 2060-Silaide 1.18 × 10⁵ 2.10 × 10⁴ 82.2 Treated Fabric - (50 washes)

Remarks:

-   -   1. CFU: Colony Forming Unit=No. of Microorganisms    -   2. Percentage Reduction of Microorganisms (R)=100 (B−A/B)

Fabric labeled as 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric (0 wash) has shown 99.34%antimicrobial activity; Fabric 2060-Silaide Treated Fabric (50 washes)has shown 82.20% antimicrobial activity towards Clostridium difficilerespectively when analyzed as per AATCC 100-2012 test method.

A gown illustrative of one embodiment of the present invention andsuitable for wear by a medical patient is disclosed in FIG. 5 of theaccompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 5, hospital gown 100 desirablycomprises front panel 102, rear panel 104 (providing full coverage forall areas typically exposed during wear of a conventional hospital gownthat ties behind the neck and is open down the back), shoulder seams106, 116, side seams 108, 118, chest access pocket 114, and a pluralityof spaced-apart, quick release, non-metal snap closures 110, 112, 120,122. The seams are easily accessible and the quick release closurespermit each seam to be opened along its entire length to access thepatient's body or to remove the gown from the patient when an urgentmedical need arises. Hospital gown 100 is also desirably made from atextile that is treated in accordance with the present invention toinhibit the growth and replication of pathogenic microbes throughmultiple uses and laundering cycles as would be expected within ahospital environment.

Although a treated textile-containing product in the form of a hospitalgown is depicted in the accompanying FIG. 5, it will be appreciated uponreading this disclosure that the same technology, methods and treatingcompositions can similarly be applied to other textile-containingproducts. Such products can include, for example and without limitation,other outer garments, underwear, linens, blankets, curtains, towels,washcloths, furniture coverings, seat coverings, table cloths, apronsand towels used in medical and dental facilities, schools, publicly usedbuildings, food preparation areas, public transportation, and the like.

Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewisebecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisspecification in view of the accompanying drawings, and it is intendedthat the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by thebroadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventor(s)and/or Applicant are legally entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A textile treated in a liquid bath to inhibit thesustainability and growth of pathogenic microbe, the liquid bath havinga pH not greater than about 6.5 and comprising: a liquid carrier; and anaqueous treating composition further comprising water, a finely divided,metallic component dispersed in the water, and a miscible polymericcomponent metal complex dissolved or dispersed in water to create anaqueous solution or suspension; wherein the liquid carrier is abuffering agent; wherein the polymeric component is a polymer orcopolymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters,polyamides, and mixtures thereof; and wherein the metallic component isselected from a group of metal-containing compounds comprising titanium,zinc and silver in the form of a water soluble, insoluble or amphotericpowder, filler or salt.
 2. The textile of claim 1 wherein themetal-containing compound is selected from the group consisting oftitanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silver chloride and silver nitrate.
 3. Thetextile of claim 1 wherein the polymeric component is a polymer orcopolymer comprising a polyolefin.
 4. The textile of claim 1 wherein thepolymeric component is a polymer or copolymer comprising a polyester. 5.The textile of claim 1 wherein the polymeric component is a polymer orcopolymer comprising a polyamide.
 6. The textile of claim 1 wherein thepolymeric component is a polymer or copolymer comprising polyacrylamide.7. The textile of claim 1 wherein the polymeric component is a polymeror copolymer comprising polybutylene terephthalate.
 8. The textile ofclaim 1 wherein the metallic component will remain present on thetreated textile in an amount sufficient to inhibit the sustainabilityand growth of pathogenic microbes for repeated wash cycles.
 9. Thetextile of claim 8 wherein the metallic component will remain present onthe treated textile in an amount sufficient to inhibit thesustainability and growth of pathogenic microbes for at least 25 washcycles.
 10. The textile of claim 8 wherein the metallic component willremain present on the treated textile in an amount sufficient to inhibitthe sustainability and growth of pathogenic microbes for at least 50wash cycles.
 11. The textile of claim 8 wherein each wash cycle isperformed in water having a temperature of at least about 170° F. forabout 20 minutes.
 12. The textile of claim 1 wherein the liquid carriercomprises acetic acid.
 13. The textile of claim 1 wherein the pathogenicmicrobes include at least one of Enterococci (E. faecalis, E. faecium,E. gallinarum, E. casseliflavus), Staphylococci (S. aureus), CNS(Coagulase-Negative Stapholococci) and Escherichia. coli.
 14. Thetextile of claim 1 that is sterilized either prior to or subsequent totreating the textile in the liquid bath.
 15. The textile of claim 1 thatis saturated or coated while treating the textile in the liquid bath.16. The textile of claim 1 wherein the textile is treated by dipping thetextile in the liquid bath.
 17. The textile of claim 1 that iscalendered to a desired moisture content following treatment in theliquid bath.
 18. The textile of claim 1 when dried to a desired moisturecontent following treatment in the liquid bath.
 19. The textile of claim17 when dried to a desired moisture content following calendering.
 20. Amethod for treating yarns, fibers or textiles in a liquid bath to coatand bind to thereby inhibit the sustainability and growth of pathogenicmicrobes on the yarns, fibers or textiles, the method comprising:selecting a yarn, fiber or textile for treating, coating, dipping orsaturating the yarn, fiber or textile in a composition comprising water,a polymeric component miscible in water, a finely divided metalliccomponent comprising metal particles, powder or ions dissolved ordispersed in water and mixed with a liquid carrier to create an aqueoussolution or suspension having a pH not greater than about 6.5; whereinthe polymeric component is selected from the group consisting of polymeror copolymers comprising polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides andmixtures thereof; and wherein the metallic component is selected from agroup of metal-containing compounds comprising titanium, zinc or silverin the form of a water soluble, insoluble or amphoteric powder, filleror salt and thereafter reducing the moisture content of the treatedyarn, fiber or textile to a predetermined acceptable level.
 21. Themethod of claim 20 wherein the yarn, fiber or textile is sterilizedprior to treating.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein the yarn, fiber ortextile is sterilized subsequent to treating.
 23. The method of claim 20wherein the yarn, fiber or textile is brushed or softened prior totreating.
 24. The method of claim 19 wherein the yarn, fiber or textileis calendered after it is coated, dipped or saturated in thecomposition.
 25. The method of claim 20 wherein the yarn, fiber ortextile is subsequently dried to a desired moisture content notexceeding about 10 weight percent of the yarn, fiber or textile.
 26. Atextile-containing product comprising: a washable textile coated orsaturated with a composition useful for treating yarns, fibers andtextiles and textile-containing products to inhibit the sustainabilityand growth of pathogenic microbes on the yarn, fiber, textile ortextile-containing product, the composition further comprising apolymeric component, a finely divided metal component dissolved ordispersed in water and pre-mixed with the polymeric component, thenmixed with a liquid carrier to create an aqueous solution or suspensionbuffered to have a pH not greater than about 6.5; wherein the polymericcomponent is a polymer or copolymer selected from the group consistingof polyolefins, polyesters and polyamides; and wherein the metal isselected from a group of metal-containing compounds comprising titanium,zinc or silver in the form of a water soluble, insoluble or amphotericpowder, filler or salt.
 27. The textile-containing product of claim 26wherein the washable textile is brushed or softened prior to use. 28.The textile-containing product of claim 26 wherein the washable textileis sterilized prior to use.
 29. The textile-containing product of claim26 wherein an amount of the treating composition that is effective toinhibit the sustainability and growth of pathogenic microbes on thewashable textile is retained in or on the washable textile followingrepeated cycles of use and commercial laundering.
 30. Thetextile-containing product of claim 29 wherein an amount of the treatingcomposition that is effective to inhibit the sustainability and growthof pathogenic microbes on the washable textile is retained in or on thewashable textile following at least 25 cycles of use and commerciallaundering.
 31. The textile-containing product of claim 29 wherein anamount of the treating composition that is effective to inhibit thesustainability and growth of pathogenic microbes on the washable textileis retained in or on the washable textile following at least 50 cyclesof use and commercial laundering.
 32. The textile-containing product ofclaim 26 when configured as an item selected from the group consistingof: garments, underwear, bed linens, blankets, curtains, towels,washcloths, furniture coverings, seat coverings, table cloths andaprons.
 33. The textile-containing product of claim 32 when configuredas a hospital gown.
 34. A hospital gown comprising a plurality ofspaced-apart, releasable, non-metallic, snap closures disposed atlocations enabling the gown to be opened and/or removed to provide readyaccess to identified areas of the anatomy of a patient as needed toadminister medical treatment.
 35. The hospital gown of claim 34comprising a textile treated with a composition that inhibits thesustainability and growth of pathogenic microbes on the textile.
 36. Thehospital gown of claim 35 wherein the composition comprises apolymer/metal complex dissolved or dispersed in water and then mixedwith a liquid carrier comprising a buffer to create an aqueous solutionor suspension having a pH not greater than about 6.5; wherein thepolymer is selected from polymers or copolymers of the group consistingof polyolefins, polyesters and polyamides; and wherein the metal isselected from a group of metal-containing compounds comprising titanium,zinc or silver in the form of a water soluble, insoluble or amphotericpowder, filler, salt.